Water-heating system



' 1,643 22 Sept' 20 1927 H. w. oDQwD 3 WATER HEATING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 23. 1925 INVENTOR Patented sept. l2o, 1927.-

UNITED s'rvriz's` PATENT oFFicE.

HENRY W'. ODOWD, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY., ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD GAS EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, A CORPORATION F MARYLAND. v

WATER-HEATING SYSTEM.

Application led September 23, 1925. Serial No. 58,218.

This invention relates to water heating systems and more particularly tol those of 4 the closed circulating type embodying a hot Water storage tank. The general object'of 5 the invention is to provide a heating system of this kind with automatic thermostatic control located outside of the storage tank and which will act to maintain a plentiful supply of hot water on hand at all times. In

l0 carrying out the invention, the apparatus has been so designed that parts of standard heating systems now in use may be utilized in large measure, although this feature, while advantageous, is not of course essential. ln

l5 many systems now in use, it is customary to locate the thermostatic controlling elements p directly in the storage tankv at some suitable point. This arrangement not only requires special fittings, but renders it dicult to gain access to the thermostatic elements for adjustment or repair, and, moreover, the temperature and quantity of hot water in storage cannot be as accurately regulated as desired.

In the improved system contemplated by this invention, the thermostat is located outside of the storage tank and besides being readily accessible for adjustment or re air,

is so arranged that it will respond quickly to temperature changes and maintain a predetermined quantity of hot water in the storage tank. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the thermostat is located in a pipe which is connected at its lower end to #IISv the water circulating pipe at a point between the storage tank and the heating coil,

and at its upper end it is provided with a branch pipe extending downwardly within ,the tank to a predetermined level below the top thereof, `'which level may be varied as desired. depending upon the quantity of vhot water to be maintained within the storage y tank. The construction and operation of the parts will best be understood from the -detailed description to follow, although it may be noted at-this point that it is proposed to employ for `the water heating coil a gas' burner controlled by the thermostat through a snap-action valve, that is to say, a valve which is thrown by the thermostatto a fully open or a fu-llv closed position in regulating' the supply of fuelto the burner.

The improved system, therefore, ossesses the ad- -I vantages of a heater'fof t e instantaneous type as well as those of a heater of the storage type, the hot water furnished instantaneously by the heating coil in conjunction vwith the hot water stored in the tank providing an ample. supply.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a water heating system constructed in accordance with lthe invention, some of the parts being shownin section and others broken away, to expose the interior construction.

' The storage tank 1, may be of any suitable form or construction, that shown being of a conventional type used for household or similar purposes. Leading. from and to the tank is a water circulating pipe comprising a lower horizontal portion 2 or return pipe connected to the bottom of the tank by a T-ttingB and provided with a drainage faucet 4. and a How pipe comprising an upper horizontal portion 5 connected to the top of the tank by a suitable fitting 6, which latter also provides for the connection to the tank of an outlet or hot water ipe 7, and a connected vertical portion 8, t e said circulating pipe including a water heating unit or coil 9, to which the return and flow pipes are connected all in the usual way. The water heating coil 9 is enclosed, as customary, in a jacket or casing 10 containing in its lower portion a main heating Bunsen burner 11, of any well-known-type. Gas is supplied to the burner 11 through its mixing tube 12 from a nozzle 13 (having a shutotl' valve 14) provided at the end of an outlet pipe 15 leading from a valve box 16 -havinga suitable inlet pipe 17.

Located within the box 16 is a snap-action valve mechanism comprising a valve proper 18' and two multiplying levers 19 and 20. The lever 19 is of the third order, being fulcrumed at 21 and carrying near its free end the valve 18, while the lever 20 is of the first order, being pivoted at 22 with its shorter arm in position to be acted upon by a thermostat and having its longer arm turned .downwardly at its free end and connected at 23 toone end of a strong contractile spring 24, whose other end is connected to the lever 19 atan intermediate point 25. As the parts are thus arranged,

. tion,

v rlhe valve mechanism thus described forms the .subject of a co-pending application Serial No. 63,060 and per se constitutes no part of thelpresent invention, which contemplates any form of snap-action valve suitable ffor the purpose.

. A lpilot burner 26, which may be of any suitable form, is associated with the main heating yburner 11 and is ,supplied with gas approved yform under the control of a hand valve 27 by a pipe 28 branching off from the inlet pipe 17 above referred to. I Coming now to the ,inventionfthe snap valve mechanism above described is controlled in its-action. that is to sav, the valve 18 is thrown to fully open or-fully closed position, by means of a thermostat 31 of any or construction and which is located in a vertical pipe 32. This thermostat pipe 32 is connected at its lower end by a suitable fitting 33 to the lower portion 2 of the water circulating pipe at 'a point between the storage 'tank 1 and the heating coil 9, and at its upper end xit is provided with a branch pipe comprising a short section 34 extended horizontally above the tank and a vertical open-ended section 35 extended downwardly within the tank to a level only slightly above a horizontal plane touched by the upper end'of the thermostat. The valve box 16 is also connected to the pipe fitting 33 by a screw plug 36 to which the thermostat 31 is attached and through which it actuates the yvalve mechanism. While, as abovev stated, the thermostat mav be `of any approved form or construction, it

is herein shown as comprising (fas the positive or expanding element) an outer copper tube 29 closed at its upper end and screwed at its lowerend into the nlug 36` and (as the negative or' 'nonexpanding element) an internal nickel-'steel` rod 30 connected to the upper end of the copper tube and projecting through the plug 36'into the casing 16 for engagement with the shorter. arm of the 'multiplying lever .20. It needs to Abe stated that hen thegthermostat is acted upon by coldwater inthe pipe 32 it. will contract and throw the lsnap valve to its fully open position forsupplying gas tothe 4 Bunsen burner,`and that when'` the thermostat is acted upon 4by hotwater in the pipe` 32. it will expand' and throw the snap valve toits fully close-d position for shutting off the supply of gas to the Bunsen burner, it

to locate the valve 18 in the 'withinjthe storage tank, no hot `entrance of the hot water.

being understood adjustment of the valve mechanism.

Cold water is supplied to the system through an inlet pipe 37 connected tothe upper end of the thermostat pipe 32 by an elbow fitting 38 and having a smaller section 39 extending downwardly within the thermostat pipe to a level adjacent the upper end of the thermostat and approximately the level at which the branch pipe section 35 terminates within the storage tank.

The operation of the parts will now be clear: Cold water is drawn in through the inlet pipe 37 and discharged into the pipe 32 for direct contact with the contained thermostat 31. It then passes down' the thermostat pipe 32 and enters in one direction into the storage tank an part flowing in the opposite direction to the heating coil 9. Initially, of course, and when the gas is shut olif by the hand valve 14, the

that the temperature of the yhot water may be regulated as desiredby the the lower portion 2 of the water circulating pipe, part. flowing cold water will entirelyll the system and submerge the thermostat 31 in the pipe 32, thus causing the snap valve 18 to occupy its fully open position. AWhen, now, the gas is turned on by opening the valve 14 and the main Bunsen burner 11 lighted by the pilot 26, the water in' the heating coil 9 becomes heated and sets up a circulation through the system. The hot water enters the tank at the top through the fitting 6 and will, of course, gradually work its way down into the 'ta-nk, displacing the cold water as it descends during the circulation. This action will continue until the hot water reaches the level at which the pipe section 35 terminates within the storage tank, at which time the hot waterr will back up or rise within the section 35. and enter the thermostat pipe 32, flowing down'the same and submergng the thermostat 31'in whole or in part. Inasmuch as the hot water has reached the proper temperature, it will cause the thermostat to expand and throw the snap valve `to its fully closed position, thus shutting oi the gas supply and interrupting the operation l Attention is 115 of the -main'heating burner. called to the fact that, due to the provision of the downwardly extending pipe section 35 water is e 32f-until allowed to enter the thermostat pi K.

ipe section it reaches the level at which the 35 terminates within'the tank, the cold water y up to that time acting as a seal for the open end of lthe pipe section and preventing'the maintained within the storage tank at all times.- A

pipe section 35 may he vaned as des1red,depending upon the volume of hot water to be kept in storage. The hot waterlis drawn off through the outlet ,pipe 7 ,which 1s, as above vIn this way; a' ,predetermined volumel of hot waterA may be les U' s will be obvious, the length of the i described, connecte-d by the ttin 6 to both the tank and the upper or discarge portion 5 of the water circulating pipe. Upon the drawing off of the hot water, will of course be drawn in through the inlet pipe 37 and enter the system in the manner above noted, acting uponthe thermostat almost instantly to place the main heating burner again in operation and rising within the storage tank to reseal the open end of the pipe section 35 against the'admission Aof hot water into the thermostat pipe 32.v When the drawing' oli of th'e'hot water ceases, the gas burner will continue in operation until the hot water again reaches its predetermined volume Within'kthe storage tank and is allowed to re-enter the thermostat pipe and shut ofi" the gas supply. It will be seen that, under normal conditions of use, the operations become largely/intermittent, cold water beingl drawn in and heated as hot water is drawn oti', although there is always in reserve within the storage tankJ an extra volume of hot water at the desired temperature to supplement that supplied instantaneously by the heating coil 9 and which may be great enough to answer all demands made upon the system. 9

Many advantages characterize the irnproved system :As will be understood, standard heating systems now in use and' lacking the automatic Acontrol may be converted into automatic systems with slight alterations land at little expense, no special fittings being necessary and the storage tank being' left substantially intact. 'The thermostatic control mechanism, being located entirely outside of the tank, is readily accessible for repair or adjustment, and moreover, is quickly responsiveto temperature changes and functions effectively to maintain the hot water at the desired temperature with little or no variation. The location ofthe thermostat in the outside pipev is particularly advan' tageous in providing for a` reserve supply of hot water, a feature which is especially desirable when the capacity of the heating coil is relatively small. When the capacity of the heating coil is small, its heatingeciency is correspondingly ,large and at the sainev time a considerable economy is effected in the fuel consumed by the gas burners. These and various other advantages will be readily appreciatedby those skilled in the art.

In its broader aspects, the invention is not, of course, confined to the particular embodimentherein shown and described, as many changes and modifica-tions may be resorted to without departing from the spirit` of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages. For instance, the thermostat pipe might be connected directly to` the storage ltank atl its lower end, rather than to the water circulating pipe, thgJ essential ideak being to haveA it rcommunicate lat cold water lwith the storage,.tank.at a

different levels below the top thereof, so' as fore, that the invention is not limited to any specific formY orl embodiment, except in so far as-such limitations are specified in the claims. Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters `PatentA of the United States is asfollows:

.1.v In a water heating system, the combilll leading from and to the tank andincluding i a Water heating unit, and comprising a flow pipe leading from" the heating unit tothe tank and a return pipe leading from the tank to the heatin unit, a heating appliance associated with said unit, a thermostat controlling the action of the heating appliance, and a pipe containing the thermostat andcommunicating at its lodwer end with the bottom portion of the tank and provided at its other end with a branch pipe independent ot the said flow pipe and extended downwardly into the tank to a predetermined'level below the top of the same.

. 2..In a water heating system, the combination ef a storage tank, a circulating pipe leading from and to the tank and including a water heating unit, and comprising a How pipe leading1 fronnthe heating unit to the tank and a return Vpipe leadnngfrom the tank to the heating unit, a heating appliance associated with said, unit, a thermostat controlling the action of the heating appliance, and a' pipe containing the thermostat and communicating at one end with the return pipe and communicating at the other end independently 'of the said ow pipe directly level below the, top of the same. 3. In a water heating system, the combination of a storage tank, a circulating pipel leading from and to the tank and including a water heating unit, and comprising a `flow pipe leading from the heating unit `to the tank and a return pipe leading from vthe tank to the heating unit, a heating appliance predetermined associated with said unit, a thermostat` con- V trolling the action of the heating'appliance, a pipe containing the thermostat and comrnunicating at its .lower end with the'bottom portion of the tank and provided at i its other end with a branch pipe independent of the said flow pipe and extended downwardly into the tank toda predetermined tliereturn pipe.

" v4.Y lnv a water heatiiliigi system, the combi vtion of a storage tan natioi'i'of a storage ta a circulating ipe leading from and to the tank and inclu .'ng a water heating unit, a heating appliance associated with said unit, a thermostat controlling the action of the heating appliance, a pip'e containing the thermostatand communicating at one end with the circulating pipe at apoint between the storage tank and heating unit and communicating at'the other end directly with the storage tank at a predetermined level below the top of thevsaine, and a water inlet pipe extended downwardly within the thermostat pipe and communicating therewith 'at a level adjacent the pper end of the thermostat. 5. In a water heatingsystem, the combinaa circulatin ipe leading from and to the tank and inu'ng a'water heating unit, a heating appliance associated with said unit,I a thermostat controlling the action of the heating appliance,

and a pipe containing the thermostat and vconnected at its lower end directly to the water circulating ypi at a point between the storage tank an the heatingunit and provided `at its .u per endvwith a. branch pipe extended dbwnwardly within the storagetank and communicating therewith independently of the circulating pipe at a predetermined level below the top of the same.

6. In a water heatin bination of a. storage tan, a circulating system the conn' Pipe leading from and to the tankvand inc uding a water heating unit, a heating appliance associated with said unit, a thermostat controlling the action ofthe heating appliance, a pipe containing the thermostat and connected at its lower end directly to the water circulating pipe at a point between the stor- -v age tank and the heating coil and provided at its upper end with a branch pipe extended downwardly within the storage tank and communicating therewith at a predetermined i level below the top of` the same, and a water inlet pipe extended "downwardly Within the thermostat pipe and communicating there'- with at la level a proximately the same as that at which the branch. pipe communicates with the storage tank.

7. In a water heating system, the combination of a storage tank, a circulatin pipe leading from and to the tank and inc uding -a water heatin unit, and comprising a flow .pipe leading rom the heating unit to the tank anda return pipe leading from the tank to the heating unit, a gas burner associatedlwith said unit, connections for supplying gas to the burner including a valve adaptedfto said flow pipe and extended downwardly into the tank to a predetermined level below the top of the same.

8. In a water heating system, the combination of a storage tank, a circulating pipe leading from and to the tank and including a water heatin unit, and comprising a flow pipe leading om the heating unit to the tank and a return pipe leadingfrom the tank to the heating unit, a gas burner associated with said unit, connections for supplying vgas to theburner including a valve adapted to occupy a fully open or a fully closed position, a thermostat acting instantly to move lsaid valve to one position or the other, and

a pipe containing `the thermostat and comand communicating at the other end independently of the flow pipe directly with the storage tank at a predetermined level below the top of the same. Y

9. In a water heatin system, the combination of a storage ta a circulating pipe leading from and to the tank and including a water heatin unit, and comprising a flow pipe leading `om the heating unit to the tank and a return pipe leading from the .tank to the heating unit, a gas burner associated with said unit, connections for supplying gas to the burner including a valve adapted to occupy a fully open or a fully closed position, a thermostat acting instantl to move said valve toone position or the ot er,^a pipe containing the thermostat and communicating at its ower end with the bottom portion of the tank and provided at its other end with a branch i independent of the flow pipe and extend; downwardly into the tank to a predetermined level below the top of the same, and a water inlet pipe connectedto the thermostat and communicating with the storage tan through the medium of said thermostat pipe and the return pipe.

' 10. In a water heating system, the conibination of a storage tank, a circulating ipe leading from and to the tank and inclu ing a water heating unit, a gas burner associated municatmg at one end with theA circulating pipe at a point between the storage tank and heatin unit and communicating at the other end irectly with the storage tank at a predetermined level below the top of the o municating at one end. with the return pipe yio same, and a water inlet pipe extended downwardly within the/thermostat pipe and communicating therewith at a level adjacent the upper end of. the'thermostat. l v

11. Ina water heating system, the combination ot' afstorage tank, a circulating pipe leading from and to the tank and including a water heating unit, a gas burner associated ywith said unit, connections for snpplying. gas to the burner including a valve adapted to occupy a fully open or a fully closed position, a thermostat acting instantly .'to move said' valve to one positionl or the other, anda pipe containing the thermostat and connected atF its lower end directly to.

the water circulating pipe at a point between the storage tank and the heating coil andprovided at its upper end with a branch pipe extended downwardly within the storage tank and communicating therewith independently of the circulating pipe at a predetermined level below the top of the tank.

12. In a water heating system, the com- 'bination of a storage tank, a circulating ipe leading from and to the tankand inclu ing a water heating unit, a gas burner associated lwith said unit, connections for supplying gas to the burner including a valve adapted tot Hoccupya fully open or a fully closed position, a thermostat acting instantly to move said valve one position or the other, a pipe containing the thermostat and connected at its lower end directly to the water circulating pipe at a point between the storage tank and the heating unit and provided at its upper endwith a branch pipe extended downwardly within the storage tank and communicating therewith at a predetermined level below the top of the same, and a water inlet pipe extended downwardly within the thermostat pipe and communicating therewith at a level approximately the same as that at which the branch pipe communicates with the storage tank.

13. In a water heating system, the combination of a storage tank, a circulating pipe including a Water heating unit, and comprising a flow pipe leading from the heating unit to the tank and a return from the tank to the heating unit, a heating appliance associated with said unit, a thermostat controlling the action of the heati ng pipe leading,

appliance, and a second circulating pipe conbination of a storage tank, a circulating pipe including a water heating unit, and comprising a flow pipe leading from the heatmg unit to the tank and a return pipe leading from the tank to the heating unit, a heating appliance associated with said unit, a thermostat controlling the actionv of the heating appliance, and a second circulating pipe containin the thermostat and communicating with e storage tank independently of the said tlow pipe, respectively at different levels below the ytop of the tank.

15. In a Water heating system, the combination of a storage tank, a circulating pipe including a water heating unit, and comprising a lowfpipe leading from the heating unit to the tank and a return pipe leading from the tank to the heating unit, a gas burner associated with said unit, connections for supplying gas to the burner including a valve adapted to occupy a fully opened or a fully closed position, a thermostat acting nstantly to move said valve to Vone position or the other, and a second circulating pipe containing the thermostat and. communicating with the tank independently of the said flow pipe. v

16. In a water heating system, the combination of a storage tank, a circulating pipe including a water heating unit, and comprising a flow pipe leading from the heating f HENRY W. oDoWD. 

